Special Olympics bowl-a-thon draws a crowd

Thursday

Dec 20, 2012 at 2:19 PM

CHRIS KARDISH

Students with special needs from across Beaufort County joined about 70 volunteers Thursday at Station 300 for a Special Olympics bowling event aimed at tearing down the limitations that can seem to define many of their lives.

With 140 student participants, the event topped last year's turnout by 40 and seems to be growing every year since its inception a decade ago, said Kathy Cramer, a co-organizer for the Special Olympics for 24 years and a special education teacher at Hilton Head Island Middle School.

"Our area 25 years ago didn't have the population level to keep things like this going, but with the population increase there's such a need," she said. "This is a county, state, national and world event."

Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus, Sun City Lions Club and U.S. Marines from Parris Island were on hand to guide and assist the Olympians.

About 10 top performers move on to the state-level competition in the summer, but the philosophy of the Special Olympics encourages participants simply to perform as best they can, Cramer said.

"Let me win, and if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt," she said.

Participants range in age from eight to 21 and are placed in groups based on physical or intellectual disabilities, with special ramps provided to those with physical limitations.

Bryan Riley has been coming with his mother, Lisa Riley, since the event first started. The 18-year-old is nonverbal but loves music - particularly R. Kelly - and has "come out of his shell" in the four years he's attended Hilton Head Island High School, said Janice Robinson, his teacher.

"He'll attempt to do new tasks, and in the past four years he's evolved, really come out of his shell with his peers," she said.

His mother, Lisa Riley, said she considers the event a valuable experience for all participants.

"It socially involves them, and they get to see each other, know each other and that they can do anything," Riley said. "There are no limitations."

Critical to funding the event and feeding the nearly 300 people who turned out was the Children's Relief Fund, a nonprofit that raises money for those with disabilities up to 21 years of age, Cramer said.

The Children's Relief Fund gives $50,000 annually to local Special Olympics events in addition to more than $100,000 for equipment and other needs for families across Beaufort County, said Rose Fotia, the group's founder.

"You would think everything would be covered by insurers, but that's not the case," she said. "We're here to help those families survive, really."

The group's major fundraiser, a Valentine's dinner and dance with an auction, takes place Feb. 9 at the Hilton Head Island Marriott. Tickets cost $125.

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